Water treatment system

ABSTRACT

A system for the treatment of water to remove metals and undesirable substances from well and groundwater so as to render the water potable is disclosed. The system employs microbubbles of oxygen, which remain suspended in water at a concentration above 100% of the calculated saturated concentration at a particular temperature and pressure. These microbubbles oxidize undesirable substances in the water, which substances include iron manganese, arsenic, antimony, chrome, aluminum, reduced sulfur compounds, pesticide residues, drug metabolites and/or bacteria. Microbubbles are produced by electrolysis or by sparging through a microorifice. A control system for the electrolytic system is disclosed.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 60/813,267, filed Jun. 13, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention pertains to treatment of water to remove metals andundesirable substances from well and groundwater so as to render thewater potable.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Water for domestic, industrial and farm use frequently is contaminatedwith minerals, organic substances, and bacteria that render the waterunpotable and even dangerous to health. Among these contaminants isferrous iron, which forms a colloidal mass with water and foulsplumbing. Manganese and arsenic, both toxic metals, are frequently foundin water. Another is hydrogen sulfide, which imparts a rotten egg smellto the water. Organic substances may include pesticide residues, drugmetabolites and other contaminants that are released into thegroundwater. Harmful bacteria such as Salmonella sp., E. coli, Shigellasp. and Clostridia sp. have been implicated in outbreaks of illness withsignificant mortality.

These contaminants generally have one thing in common: they areinactivated, killed or transformed to innocuous substances whenoxidized. Municipalities have long treated their water supplies withoxidants such as chlorine to control contamination. Chlorine is nottotally harmless. For those small municipalities or individual farms orhomes, it is impractical to use chlorine to treat water.

A widely used treatment system employs the chemical oxidant potassiumpermanganate to oxidize contaminants. Basically, running water is passedthrough a bed of permanganate to convert the fouling ferrous iron to thesoluble ferric iron and the odorous hydrogen sulfide to non-odoroussulfate. Other contaminants are likewise oxidized to harmless chemicalsand bacteria are killed. This system, though effective, is difficult andexpensive to maintain and requires periodic backflushing and replacementof the permanganate. Permanganate being a toxic and reactive chemical,service of the system can be hazardous.

Oxygen may be used. Oxygen content of water may be raised by severalmeans: bubbling with air; spraying the water into the air; applyingpressure to increase the dissolved oxygen, or by the electrolysis ofwater.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,171,469 described raising the oxygen content of water bypassing the water through a set of electrolysis cells. In order to raisethe oxygen content to the desired 13-17 ppm, it is necessary torecirculate the water past the cells 15 to 55 times.

None of these methods except the permanganate system deliver treatedwater on demand, but require the construction of a retention tank andthus are not convenient for home or farm use.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides one or a plurality of emitters containedin one or a plurality of electrolysis chambers through which waterflows. When activated, the emitters cause the evolution of microbubblesof oxygen. The emitters are connected to a power source controlled by acontroller containing a flow switch. When the flow switch senses waterdemand, that is, when a spigot is opened, the controller causes voltageto be applied to the electrolysis cells. The electrolysis cell or cellscomprise electrodes separated from each other by a critical distance asmore fully described in co-pending patent application Ser. No.10/732,326 (the “'326” application), the teachings of which areincorporated by reference. Briefly, the anode and cathode are separatedby 0.005 to 0.140 inches. The most preferred critical distance is 0.065inches. Any cathode or electrode known in the art may be used. Anynumber of emitters may be arranged in the electrolysis chamber; thefollowing examples show a typical array of three rectangular emitters,but it is understood that the invention is not limited to three, but maycomprise one to several or hundreds of emitters, depending on the volumeof running water to be treated. Likewise, it may be convenient to passthe water through a plurality of chambers, arranged in series or inparallel, in order to make a more compact unit or to treat largequantities of flowing water.

In the preferred embodiment, the cathode and electrode are formed of thesame material and the controller causes the polarity to be reversed at aset signal. Many cathodes and anodes are commercially available. U.S.Pat. No. 5,982,609 discloses cathodes comprising a metal or metallicoxide of at least one metal selected from the group consisting ofruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium, cobalt, tungsten,manganese, tantalum, molybdenum, lead, titanium, platinum, palladium andosmium or oxides thereof. Anodes are preferably formed from the samemetallic oxides or metals as cathodes. Electrodes may also be formedfrom alloys of the above metals or metals and oxides co-deposited on asubstrate. The cathode and anodes may be formed on any convenientsupport in any desired shape or size. The most preferred electrode istitanium coated with iridium oxide.

Polarity of the electrodes is reversed in order to clean the electrodesof deposited minerals. The time of reversal may be set for anyconvenient interval or be activated by any convenient means. The meansfor reversal include: reversal each time the well pump turns on; whenthe water flow is initiated; at timed intervals from 45 seconds to 24hours or more; or manually. When the water flow is intermittent, it isconvenient to program the controller to change polarity each time theflow switch detects a flow of water. The preferred embodiment isself-cleaning; mineral residue tends to build up on the cathode whencurrent is flowing. When the current is reversed, the anode and thecathode change polarity. The mineral buildup on the former cathode isrepelled and starts to form on the new cathode. This reversal ofpolarity limits the amount of buildup and the emitter is essentiallyself-cleaning.

The system is supplied with valves to direct the water flow. The watermay be directed to bypass the electrolysis chamber, to pass through thechamber to be oxygenated, or a separate line is provided to backflushthe electrolysis chamber to remove any minerals that may haveaccumulated in the vicinity of the electrodes.

Any embodiment is preferably supplied with fail-safe sensors, valves andthe like, devices known to those in the art. When the flow switch sensesthat there is no water flow, the power is turned off. A temperaturesensor in the electrolysis chamber shuts off current if the current isapplied but no water is flowing. In that case, the temperature in thechamber rises and the temperature sensor will instruct the controller tocut the voltage. Likewise, relief valves to release fluid in case ofliquid or gas pressure buildup may be located at any point in thesystem. A gas relief valve is best vented to the outside.

The system includes an electrical circuit to control the activation ofthe emitters, to reverse polarity and to inactivate the emitters whenwater is not flowing.

In an alternate embodiment, the oxygen is provided by bubbling it into achamber. In this embodiment, the oxygen can be supplied by tank orgenerated on the site by PSA technology. The embodiment that comesclosest to approximating the result of the present invention is spargingoxygen through a microorifice in order to produce microbubbles ofoxygen.

Water may contain many undesirable substances, such as iron, manganese,arsenic, antimony, chrome and aluminum. The reduced salts are generallysoluble, while oxidized metals, such as Fe₂O₃ or MnO₂ are insoluble andform fine precipitates. Reduced sulfur compounds, such as H₂S, have anoxious odor, while oxidized sulfur compounds are generally odorless.Other undesirable substances include pesticide residues, drugmetabolites and bacteria. In all embodiments, it is recommended to passthe effluent of treated water through a final filter bed in order toremove fine precipitates and to improve the clarity of the water. Suchfilter beds are well known in the art and include: Birm filter,Greensand, Pyrolux. Filtersand, Filter-Ag, activated carbon, anthraciteand garnet.

When the water is hard, that is, contains divalent metals such ascalcium and magnesium, the portion of the effluent intended to beheated, may pass through a water softener.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a simple water treatment system.

FIG. 2 shows a water treatment system with added safety devices and abypass.

FIG. 3 is a diagram of the electric circuitry.

FIG. 4 is a representation of various emitters.

FIG. 5 shows an embodiment with two electrolysis chambers in series anda final filter.

FIG. 6 shows the preferred embodiment in a case with the electrolysischambers arranged in parallel.

FIG. 7 shows the embodiment with oxygen bubbling or sparging.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In the following discussion, a water treatment system with threeemitters in one chamber is used as an example. The voltages and flowrates below are suitable for this example, but it should be understoodthat more or fewer cells can be used, depending on the needs of theinstallation. It may be convenient to pass the water to be treatedthrough a plurality of chambers to make a more compact system or totreat large volumes of water. The chambers may be arranged in series orin parallel. One of the pressing needs is the removal of ferroushydroxide, which has an odor, stains and fouls plumbing. Oxidized ironis non-reactive and will not stain or foul plumbing, nor does it have anobjectionable odor. The microbubbles evolved by the emitters areeffective in rapid oxidation of contaminants both because of the highoxygen content achieved in the water and because of the large surfacearea for reaction. A final filter is preferred in order to remove fineprecipitates of oxidized iron and other oxidized metals and to improvethe clarity of the water. In the following examples, specific conditionsof power supply, size and flow rates are provided for illustrativepurposes only. Those skilled in the art can readily make adjustments inpower supply, size and flow rates to provide the benefits of thisinvention.

Example 1 Experimental Model

Turning to FIG. 1, the intake 1 is attached to the water supply to betreated. Valve 2 is shut; valve 3 is open to allow water into theelectrolysis chamber 4. When the flow switch 5 connected to thecontroller 6 senses the water flow, the power supply 7 supplies voltageto the plates 8 a, 8 b and 8 c, causing oxygen to be evolved. Theoxygenated water passes valve 9 to exit by the outlet 10. Water pressurerelief valve 11 and gas relief valve 12 will relieve pressure in thesystem. When the temperature sensor 13 senses an increase intemperature, the controller 6 inactivates the plates 8 a, 8 b and 8 c.

Turning to FIG. 2 the intake 1 is attached to the water supply to betreated. Valve 2 is shut; valve 3 is open to allow water into theelectrolysis chamber 4. Valves 14 and 15 are closed. When the flowswitch 5 connected to the controller 6 senses the water flow, the powersupply 7 applies voltage to the plates 8 a, 8 b and 8 c, causing oxygento be evolved. The oxygenated water passes by valve 9 to exit by theoutlet 10. Pressure relief valve 11 and gas relief valve 12 will relievefluid pressure in the system when excess pressure is generated anddetected by pressure gauge 16, a pressure switch 16 a is activated. Whenthe temperature sensor 13 or pressure switch 16 a senses an increase intemperature or pressure, the controller 6 inactivates the plates 8 a, 8b and 8 c. Connector 17 is provided for ease of installation. Intake 18is connected to the water supply. When valve 14 and 15 are open andvalves 3 and 9 are closed, water may be sent in a backflush directionthrough the electrolysis chamber 4 and out outlet 19.

Either the embodiment in FIG. 1 or the embodiment in FIG. 2 may beoperated in several modes:

-   1. Bypassing the system: Valve 2 is open; valves 3 and 9 are closed.    Water flows from intake 1 to outlet 10, bypassing the emitters.-   2. Through the system: Valves 3 and 9 are open; valves 2, 14 and 15    (FIG. 2 only) are closed. Water flows from intake 1 through    electrolysis chamber 4. The flow switch 5 senses flow and controller    6 activates power source 7 to supply current to the emitters.-   3. Through the system with self-cleaning feature activated. Valves 3    and 9 are open; valves 2, 14 and 15 (FIG. 2 only) are shut. The flow    switch 5 senses flow and controller 6 activates power source 7.    Controller 6 switches polarity as programmed. For intermittent use,    it may be convenient to program the controller to switch polarity    each time water flow is started.-   4. Backflush cycle, the model of FIG. 2 only: Valves 14 and 15 are    open, valves 3 and 9 are closed. Water is introduced to the    electrolysis chamber through intake 18, flows in a retro direction    through the chamber and out the outlet 19. The electric circuitry is    bypassed and adjustments are not programmed, but are made manually.

Example 2 Description of Circuit Operation

This description is based on a example system with three emitters andthe self cleaning polarity reversal on each initiation of water flow.Adjustments can be made for bigger or smaller systems. Circuit operationstarts with applying line voltage, 120 V AC, to the power supply 26,which transforms the line voltage to 12 V DC. The controller circuit isin electrical communication with flow switch 23, temperature sensor 22and push button switch 21 which activates the circuit, if thetemperature sensor 22 indicates cool, thereby allowing 12 volts to beapplied to the push button switch 21. When this push button switch ispushed, it energizes relay 24 K1A. The connections on this relay aresuch that it remains energized after the push button is released. Theother contacts on this relay look at the flow switch to see if water isflowing. If so, the next relay 25 K1B is energized, applying 120 V AC tothe second power supply 20 and relay 27 K2. K2 is a sequencing relay,the contacts of which will change state when energized and remain in anenergized state when power is removed. The next time the relay isenergized, the contacts change state and then stay in that position.

When 120 V AC power is supplied to the power supply 20, it sends DCvoltage onto its output connections. Relays 28K3, 29K4, and 30K5 sendthe current through terminal boards 31, 32 and 33 to the emitters. If K2is in one position, the voltage applied to the emitters is “forward”biased. The next water flow detection will change the state of K2 andthe relays will change state, resulting in a reversal of polarity on theemitters. Oxygen will be produced during either state.

The action will continue indefinitely if the temperature sensor detectsno increase in temperature. If the sensor sees an increase intemperature above its set point, it will open the circuit and remove the12 V DC power to the relays, thereby shutting down the circuit. Thecircuit can be restarted only by activating the button switch again.When the spigot is turned off, there is a slight temperature rise untilthe flow switch turns off the controller. This rise is not enough totrigger the much higher set point on the temperature switch. Hence thesystem will turn on again once the flow switch detects flow. Thetemperature switch is a safety device and preferably, once thetemperature switch inactivates the power system, manual intervention isrequired to reactivate the system.

Example 3 Emitter Configurations

Depending on the volume of fluid to be oxygenated, the emitter of thisinvention may be shaped as a circle, rectangle, cone or other model. Oneor more may be set in a substrate that may be metal, glass, plastic orother material. The substrate is not critical as long as the current isisolated to the electrodes by the nonconductor spacer material of athickness from 0.005 to 0.140 inches, preferably 0.030 to 0.075 inches,most preferably 0.065 inches. Within this distance, micro- andnanobubbles of oxygen are evolved. These bubbles are so small that theycannot escape and build up into what may be termed a colloidalsuspension of oxygen in an aqueous medium. Oxygen concentrations of 260%of calculated saturation at a particular temperature and pressure havebeen achieved in a stationary container. The oxygen suspension in aflow-through unit can be so concentrated with oxygen that the waterappears milky. In addition to the high oxygen content achieved, themicrobubbles have a larger surface area for reaction than ordinary-sizedbubbles. While any configuration may be used in the water treatmentsystem, a funnel or pyramidal shaped cell was constructed to treatlarger volumes of fluid. FIG. 4 shows a simple flat emitter 4A; acone-shaped emitter 4B; and a rod shaped emitter 4C. FIG. 4D depicts themost favored configuration, a triple set of emitters arranged in apyramidal configuration in a conduit. This flow-through embodiment issuitable for treating large volumes of water rapidly and is selected asthe best mode for use in water treatment. It should be understood thatany configuration will be useful in the water treatment system and thesystem is not limited to the pyramidal configuration nor to threeemitters nor to one chamber. In each of these configurations, the anode34 and cathode 35 are separated by 0.040 to 0.75 inches.

Example 4 Operation of Experimental Systems

A. An experimental system, such as that in FIG. 1, was tested at a homedrawing water from a well 220 feet deep. The dissolved oxygen was 28.9%and iron content was between 2 and 2.5 ppm. The water had an unpleasantsmell and taste due to the iron and hydrogen sulfide content. The systemwas activated and oxygen content of the outlet water was near 100%saturation. Iron was reduced to less than 0.5 ppm and there was nounpleasant taste or smell.

Calculations of power expended and cost thereof were made. The currentvaried between 3.3 and 3.8 amps. At 12 volts, the power used was about48 Watts for each emitter or about 144 watts. The system was activatedfor about two hours each day, at a daily cost (current electric companyrates) of about 3.4 cents per day.

This experimental system did not feature the self-cleaning reversepolarity feature. The system was run for six days, during which time1400 gallons of water was drawn. At this time, the electrodes began toshow some mineral deposits.

B. The first polarity-reversing experimental system, with threeemitters, was installed in a home provided with well water, containing 2to 3 ppm iron. The flow rate in the system was 6 gallons/minute.Polarity of the emitters was reversed every time the flow was started,that is, when a faucet was opened, about 70 times per day. This unit wasequipped with a Birm filter. Tests showed complete removal of iron, downto 0 detectable ppm.

C. The second polarity-reversing experimental system was installed at asite where the effluent was also used for irrigation. The watercontained 12.75 ppm iron and operated at a 15 gallon/minute rate.Polarity was reversed every time the well pump was started, which variedbetween 14 and 18 times a day.

As for the prototype in Example B, the iron in the effluent wasundetectable and the effluent was passed through a Birm filter and theresults showed that iron levels were undetectable. These results wereverified by an independent testing laboratory.

D. The third polarity-reversing experimental system was installed at asite where the water contained both 10 ppm iron and 2.25 ppm hydrogensulfide. Flow rate was 7 gallons per minute, and the polarity wasreversed each time the well pump was started, about 14 times per day.The effluent was passed through a greens and filter. Iron and hydrogensulfide levels in the effluent were undetectable.

Example 5 Laboratory Testing of 4.0-5.0 ppm Iron

A. Seventy gallons of well water testing 4 to 5 ppm were passed throughconduit equipped with a three plate, twelve-inch emitter at 12 Volts.The flow rates were varied and the iron content was measured after theeffluent passed through a 9 by 48 inch Birm filter. The first flow ratetested was two gallons per minute. Iron content was below 0.5 ppm (thepractical lower limit of measuring). When the flow rate was increased to2.7 gallons per minute, the iron content was less than 0.5 ppm. The flowwas increased to 4.87 gallons per minute and then to six gallons perminute. The iron content of the effluent was 0.5 ppm or below.

B. Trailer testing. A special 5 ft. by 8 ft. trailer was outfitted inorder to conduct water testing at various sites and to verify resultsbefore units were installed. The trailer was equipped with twopolarity-reversing oxygenator chambers, a power supply, and two Birmfilters. A 14 inch by 65 inch Birm filter for lower flow rates and a 21inch by 54 inch Birm filter for higher rates were used. The trailer hadits own power generator and large flow pump so iron, hydrogen sulfideand manganese removal can be tested immediately on site.

With this trailer, the ability of the system to remove manganese wastested. At the City of Brooklyn Park, Minn., various wells testedbetween 1.3 ppm to 2.7 ppm manganese. With the two chambers, powered onthe trailer, and at flow rates up to 10 gallons/minute, the manganesewas oxidized and 100% removed by the 21 by 54 inch Birm filter.

Example 6 Compact Unit with Self-Cleaning Feature

New embodiments have been developed that are suitable for factoryassembly into a compact unit within a case for convenient installation.The improved features include a self-cleaning feature. FIG. 5 shows atypical system for assembly on site. In this example, six sets ofemitters are provided, three in each of two electrolytic chambers 36 Aand 35B, with a 12 V DC power source. The chambers in this embodimentare arranged in series. In this embodiment, when raw or untreated waterenters the chamber 36A at the water input 37, a flow switch connected tothe control box 38 is activated. The control box is shown in detail inFIG. 3. The flow switch is calibrated to sense water flow at or above apreset flow, preferably 0.5 gallons per minute. When flow is sensed, theflow switch sends a signal to the power supply box in the control box38, which in turn applies 12 V DC power to the emitters in the chambers36A and 36B. The effluent leaves chamber 36A and enters chamber 36B.Following oxygenation, the effluent then passes by control and safetydevices 39, 40, 41, 42 and 43 and thence into the filter 44. As waterpasses down to the bottom of the filter 44, it is drawn up through aninternal conduit (not shown) and to the output 45.

FIG. 6 shows a compact system that can be factory-assembled. The systemhas two chambers 46A and 46B, arranged in parallel and fitted into acase 47. The case is a compact enclosure containing both plumbing andelectrical components. The water enters at input 48 and then passes bythe input side of a backflow preventer 49, splitting into parallel pathsand through the electrolytic chambers 46A and 46B where it isoxygenated. The oxygenated water then recombines in the upper manifold50 and is routed out of the output side 51 of the bypass valve 52. Theeffluent is finally passed out of the case into a final filter as inFIG. 5.

It should be noted that the details of the elements of the watertreatment system are more fully described in examples 1 to 4. Theembodiments described in this example 6 are equipped with a polarityreversing control. The process continues as long as the water flowexceeds the preset flow.

Example 7 Bubbling or Sparging with Oxygen

As mentioned above, it is well-known to attempt to improve the qualityof water by aeration. Previous techniques of bubbling air or oxygen werenot effective in reducing metals and sulfur compounds. While theembodiments described above produce the most improvement in quality ofwater, other means may produce an approximation of those results.Technology exists to bring pure oxygen to a site and inject it into thewater in the form of microbubbles, which raises the oxygen content ofthe water and also presents a greater surface area for reaction withundesirable substances. A tank of oxygen may be used. The PSA methodspasses air through a filter that removes the dinitrogen, leaving pureoxygen. FIG. 7 shows a diagram of a simple bubbling embodiment. Oxygenfrom tank 53 is sparged into a simple chamber 54 with a static mixer 55through a microorifice 56 in order to produce microbubbles to raise theoxygen content above the content calculated to be 100% saturation at thepressure and temperature of the chamber. Metals and other contaminantsare oxidized. Microbubbles, with increased surface area for reaction,can be produced by sparging air or oxygen through a microorifice. Oxygenis preferred. Such a microorifice is described in U.S. Pat. No.6,394,429, the teachings of which are incorporated by reference. Thebubble chamber is preferably provided with a means to direct the bubblesthroughout the chamber rather than rising in a stream to the outlet. Themeans can be inert particles or more preferably, a static mixer, such asthat sold by Koflo Corporation (Cary, Ill.) or Chemineer (Dayton, Ohio).A static mixer is, generally, a series of vanes or paddles that disruptthe flow of bubbles to ensure mixing. In this schematic diagram, theoutflow from the chamber 54 is shown entering through connection 57 tothe top of filter 5 59. In practice, the effluent enters at the top ofthe filter tank and an internal conduit (not shown) draws it downthrough the filter. Water enters the system at inlet 59.

Example 8 Activation of Polarity Reversal

Various embodiments of emitter were tested. Round, flat or pyramidconfiguration emitters were tested in the laboratory for over 30 days.The emitters chosen were of titanium. The current was switched atvarying intervals from five seconds to three hours. No buildup ofmineral deposits was observed. Depending on the site and the user'spreference, in the functioning water treatment system, the polarity canbe set to reverse:

each time the well pump turns on and the water pressure increases;

when the water flow is initiated;

at timed intervals from 45 seconds to 24 hours or more;

or manually.

Each choice has its advantages with the purpose of minimizing thefrequency of reversing polarity in order to prolong the useful life ofthe electrodes while maintaining the efficacy of water treatment. Ingeneral, if the water use is constant, the timing mode can be selective.When water use is intermittent, as is generally the case with home use,a mode based on pump or water flow is preferred.

Those skilled in the art may readily make insubstantial changes oradditions. Such changes or additions are within the scope of theappended claims.

1. A water treatment system comprising one or a plurality of emitters inone or a plurality of electrolysis chambers through which water flows,operably connected to a power source controlled by a controllercomprising a flow switch which senses water flow and directs thecontroller to apply voltage to the emitters whereupon microbubbles ofoxygen are evolved.
 2. The emitters of claim 1 wherein the emitterscomprise cathodes and anodes in aqueous communication with each otherand separated by a critical distance of 0.005 to 0.75 inches.
 3. Theemitters of claim 2 wherein the cathodes and anodes are separated by acritical distance of 0.65 inches.
 4. The emitters of claim 1 wherein thecathodes and anodes are formed from the same material, the materialbeing titanium, ruthenium, iridium, nickel, iron, rhodium, rhenium,cobalt, tungsten; manganese, tantalum, molybdenum, lead, platinum,palladium, osmium or oxides thereof.
 5. The water treatment system ofclaim 3 wherein the cathode and anode are formed from titanium coatedwith iridium oxide.
 6. A control system for the water treatment systemof claim 1 comprising a flow switch capable of sensing water flow abovea set point, with electrical communication to a power source causingalternating current to be transformed to direct current, the directcurrent thereafter passing through relays to activate the emitters tocause the evolution of microbubbles, which activation continues as longas water is flowing.
 7. The control system of claim 6 further comprisinga pressure switch and/or a temperature switch operably connected to acontrol valve so that when the pressure and/or temperature rises above aset point, a control switch terminates the application of current to theemitters.
 8. The control system of claim 6 further comprising a means toreverse polarity of the direct current at a predetermined set signal. 9.The set signal of claim 8 which is an increase of pressure from a wellpump, initiation of water flow, a timed interval or manual.
 10. A watertreatment system comprising a chamber with static mixer through whichwater flows, a source of oxygen, and a microorifice through which oxygenis sparged into the bottom of the chamber thereby forming microbubblesof oxygen.
 11. The source of oxygen which is a tank of oxygen or PSAtechnology.
 12. The water treatment systems of claims 1, 6 and 10further comprising a final filter, through which the water treated inthe chamber flows.
 13. The filter of claim 11 comprising Birm filter,Greensand, Pyrolux, Filtersand, Filter-Ag, activated carbon, anthraciteand/or garnet.
 14. A water treatment system comprising a source ofmicrobubbles of oxygen for oxidizing undesirable substances in water.15. The undesirable substances of claim 14 which are iron manganese,arsenic, antimony, chrome, aluminum, reduced sulfur compounds, pesticideresidues, drug metabolites and/or bacteria.
 16. The undesirablesubstances of claim 14 which are iron, manganese and/or hydrogensulfide.